An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 13 T he NCO Training Wing (NCOTW) recently conducted the 6th Infantry Platoon Sergeants' Course (IPSC) for 40 corporals of the Army's Infantry Corps. This important career course, es- sential for promotion to sergeant within the Infantry Corps, deliv- ers the necessary education and training to equip senior corporals with the skills and knowledge to fill the role of platoon sergeant in their units on promotion. In particular, it teaches the combat service support (CSS) skills required to sustain an infantry platoon during conventional land operations. It is the platoon sergeant's job to devise a bespoke CSS plan that supports his/her platoon com- mander's tactical plan. This includes devising an efficient casualty evacuation plan and an effective method to resupply the platoon with ammunition, food, and water etc. This is the 6th iteration of this course since its inception in 2011. The two major changes made to the 6th Infantry Platoon Sergeants' Course following detailed review, were the inclusion of a com- prehensive block of instruction on battalion level tactics and an increased emphasis on combat fitness. Battalion level tactics lectures were included for the first time to provide important context to company and platoon operations. The students were encouraged to focus on the 'bigger picture' and on how their platoon action fits into the company plan as part of a battalion operation; in particular how their CSS plan fits into that of the com- pany sergeant and the battalion staff. It also served to arm the soon- to-be sergeants with a deeper knowledge of what an infantry bat- talion's conventional capabilities are in the various phases of war. The students received briefs from subject matter experts in the combat support arms, such as artillery, cavalry and engineers, who explained their roles and capabilities in supporting infantry operations. Physical challenges are an inherent part of infantry operations. The challenges posed by terrain, weather, or time pressures must be mitigated by preparation, both physical and mental. A combina- tion of pre-course personal preparation by students, supported by a physical training program issued by the NCOTW and a series of challenging combat fitness assessments during the course ensured that students were well prepared for the physical robustness of the four Field Training Exercises (FTXs) during the course. The four FTXs conducted were four to five days in duration, each beginning with a tutorial phase that covered the basic skills required for the week ahead. They covered infantry specific tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) such as fighting in built-up areas (FIBUA); fighting in woods and forests (FIWAF), ambush, reconnaissance and fighting patrols, defence and retrograde, and offensive operations. The final exercise, FTX 'STAND ALONE', saw a Three Star Course from 28 Inf Bn along with soldiers from infantry units in 1 Bde join the 6th IPSC in the Glen of Imaal to conduct multiple platoon attacks for the students' command test appointments. The FTX culminated with three company attacks in one day. The last attack was a night attack up Camara Hill using newly refurbished Mowag APCs from 1 Mech Inf Coy to move the company to an assembly area prior to the attack. The Mowags then constituted a fire support group (FSG) off to a flank to provide pre- H Hour fires. An artillery fire support team officer from 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment called in indirect fire sup- port throughout the attack using battle noise simulators provided by 2 Brigade Engineer Company, and giving the students a chance to practice target grid procedure to call for fire. The high tempo attack was a great way to finish the tactical training phase, but the physical challenge wasn't over just yet. Undeterred, the next day the students completed an arduous 22km march from Glenmalure into the Glen of Imaal carrying 18kg, plus body armour, helmet, and rifle. This was a highly competitive inter-section timed event culminating in a very challenging shooting competition. Ultimately it proved to both the students and instructors that, even after an extremely physically demanding week, these in- fantry NCOs could traverse difficult terrain carrying a combat load and then accurately engage targets as a highly competent infantry team. While this was an arduous course, the time prior to the course in- vested in preparation – both physical and mental – resulted in a per- formance of the highest standards by the students. The importance of training for conventional land operations, underscored by the In- fantry Ethos was emphasised to the students throughout the course. The members of the 6th IPSC have now returned to their respective units. They not only return equipped with new CSS skills, enhanced leadership and command ability, but also demonstrated a keen and a positive attitude to their profession as Infantry soldiers – most ably manifested in their physical robustness and mental resilience. Congratulations to the members of the 6th IPSC on a challenge well met!

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